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July 21, 1984 · De Havilland DHC-6-300 · N43SP
Tau, AQ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1984
Injury Outcomes
14 injuries (1 fatality, 5 serious injuries, 8 minor injuries), 2 unknown outcomes
Location
Tau, AQ
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-6-300
Tail Number
N43SP
Operator
South Pacific Island
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX84FA415
THE ACFT CRASH LANDED AFTER THE PLT USED FLAPS AND POWER TO SEMI-CONTROL PITCH AFTER THE ELEVATOR DOWN CONTROL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL ON FINAL APPROACH. THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT HIT THE TERMINAL ROOF DURING THE STALL MUSH FROM50 FT AGL. THE COMPANY IS CHANGING THEIR ACFT CONTROL CABLES FROM STEEL TO STAINLESS STEEL TO AID IN THE ANTI-CORROSION AND MODIFYING THEIR INSPECTION PERIOD FROM 800 TO 100 HOURS BETWEEN INSPECTIONS. THE CABLE THAT SEPARATED FAILED FROM CORROSION. NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE CRACKING OR MECHANICAL WEAR WAS FOUND. CORROSION PRODUCTS WERE FOUND WITHIN 2 INCHES OF THE SERAPATION ON BOTH CABLE PIECES.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASH LANDED AFTER THE PLT USED FLAPS AND POWER TO SEMI-CONTROL PITCH AFTER THE ELEVATOR DOWN CONTROL CABLE FAILED AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL ON FINAL APPROACH. THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT HIT THE TERMINAL ROOF DURING THE STALL MUSH FROM50 FT AGL. THE COMPANY IS CHANGING THEIR ACFT CONTROL CABLES FROM STEEL TO STAINLESS STEEL TO AID IN THE ANTI-CORROSION AND MODIFYING THEIR INSPECTION PERIOD FROM 800 TO 100 HOURS BETWEEN INSPECTIONS. THE CABLE THAT SEPARATED FAILED FROM CORROSION. NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE CRACKING OR MECHANICAL WEAR WAS FOUND. CORROSION PRODUCTS WERE FOUND WITHIN 2 INCHES OF THE SERAPATION ON BOTH CABLE PIECES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:40 UTC
Nearest AirportTAU (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2170 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDe Havilland DHC-6-300
Tail NumberN43SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSouth Pacific Island
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-27 · Turboprop · 620
Seats16
People & Injuries
Injury Summary14 injuries (1 fatality, 5 serious injuries, 8 minor injuries), 2 unknown outcomes
Fatal1
Serious5
Minor8
Uninjured0
Total16
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO